Why Tampa?
Why Healthcare & Life Sciences Companies Choose Tampa
The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area is the 17th largest in the United States. With its impressive growth trajectory and favorable cost of living, the City of Tampa boasts one of the most robust and diversified economies in the nation, featuring a rich, flexible and steady market that comprises a variety of industries, including healthcare and life sciences. Tampa’s meteoric rise is driven by a supportive ecosystem for startups, including a growing number of incubators and accelerators, as well as significant investments in urban development and talent attraction.
For five years running, Florida has held the No. 1 spot in the U.S. News and World Report rankings for higher education. Often referred to as Florida’s “capital of opportunity,” Tampa ranks No. 21 in the nation for medical technology talent and among the top 10 fastest-growing markets for life sciences degrees. Our city’s strong and elite talent pipeline is continually fueled by top-rated universities and colleges. As more life sciences graduates choose to live and work in Tampa, our talented and educated labor force continues to grow, providing the type of talent medical and life sciences businesses need to expand their presence.
Having achieved tremendous progress over the last decade, Tampa has emerged as a major player in the healthcare and life sciences industry. Widely regarded as an optimal location for medical offices, our city is uniquely well-positioned to fuel a world-class medical and research district.
Leading Medical and Educational Institutions
Tampa is home to several renowned healthcare and academic institutions, including Tampa General Hospital (TGH), the University of South Florida (USF) Health Morsani College of Medicine, Taneja College of Pharmacy, USF Health Heart Institute, the University of Tampa (U. Tampa) and Moffitt Cancer Center. Additionally, with its robust and diversified economy, supportive business environment, growing talent pool and thriving healthcare and life sciences ecosystem, our city is recognized as a leading metro area poised for long-term growth (area development). For these reasons and others, Tampa attracts many respected healthcare and life sciences companies and fosters unique partnerships among educational establishments and industry leaders. Collectively, their supportive infrastructures, wide-ranging expertise and expansive resources create a synergistic environment that is highly conducive to groundbreaking medical advancements and forms a solid foundation for the development of a premier medical and research district.
Commitment to Promoting Collaboration and Inclusivity
A deeply connected and inclusive community where collaboration is at the heart of our progress, Tampa is an ideal destination for a medical and research district. Our city’s healthcare and life sciences ecosystem thrives on partnerships among academic institutions, medical facilities, businesses and community organizations, creating a vibrant tapestry of support that drives innovation and development. Our strong sense of unity is reflected in a wide range of community programs, events and professional societies that foster purposeful interactions and ensure that everyone feels connected and valued. With a commitment to promoting inclusivity and eliminating barriers to entry, Tampa makes it easy for healthcare and life sciences companies to establish and grow their presence here, in a welcoming environment focused on collective growth and success.
Supportive Business Climate
Ranked No. 3 on LinkedIn’s list of fastest-growing metropolitan areas for entrepreneurs, Tampa continues to experience significant economic growth, particularly in the thriving healthcare and biotechnology sectors. Along with stable pro-business leadership, notable incentives for healthcare and life sciences companies in Tampa include access to a highly educated and skilled workforce, favorable tax policies, grants and funding opportunities to support research and development, facility expansion and job creation. Local government and economic development organizations—including the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council—actively support the establishment and growth of medical and research facilities in our city, creating a fertile ground for investment and innovation.
Strategic Location and Accessibility
Located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, Tampa has a modern, multi-modal transportation infrastructure that makes our city easily accessible. Ranked by J.D. Power as the No. 1 large airport in North America, Tampa International Airport is known for its efficient operations and global connections, facilitating the seamless movement of patients, healthcare professionals and researchers. Additionally, Tampa is the site of Florida’s largest deepwater seaport and MacDill Air Force Base, a significant contributor to our city’s economy and workforce and home to the United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) and the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Our strategic location and ease of access are vital for nurturing national and international collaboration and attracting premier talent from around the world.
Exceptional Quality of Life
Tampa ranks third on Redfin’s list of U.S. cities where people want to move, and for good reason. With its stunning white-sand beaches, favorable climate, vibrant cultural scene, professional sports teams, abundant recreational opportunities and affordable cost of living, our city offers an excellent quality of life, making it an attractive place for healthcare professionals and researchers who want to live and work in paradise. In addition to its numerous big-city amenities, Tampa also features many close-knit neighborhoods and family-owned shops and restaurants, which contribute to our city’s welcoming and supportive vibe and give it an appealing small-town feel. Tampa’s lifestyle advantages help in recruiting and retaining top-tier talent, which is essential for sustaining a world-class medical and research district.
Rapid Expansion Path
Supported by continuous infrastructure investment, Tampa is on a rocketing growth trajectory with a commitment to becoming a leading hub for information technology (IT), financial and professional services, manufacturing, agriculture, energy, marine sciences, defense and security, healthcare and life sciences. As an active startup community with a robust talent pipeline, low business costs and an excellent quality of life, Tampa is one of the nation’s hottest markets for corporate expansion and relocation, earning a ranking as the second-best city in the United States to start a business and find a job (WalletHub). For these reasons and many others, it is no wonder that Tampa is viewed as America’s Next Great City and looked to as a leader in innovation and excellence in academics, technology, healthcare and life sciences.
Come and see for yourself.
